Here's what you need to know to vote in Pennsylvania | 2023 Pa. Election Guide
Nov. 7, 2023, is the Municipal Primary Election. Here's what you need to know to vote in Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Municipal Election is Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. Here's everything you need to know about the candidates and voting in Pennsylvania in 2023.
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Voting In Pennsylvania How do I vote in Pennsylvania?
How do I register to vote?
Oct. 23 is the last day to register to vote before the Municipal Election.
To register to vote, you can visit Votes PA's website here.
To complete the process, you must fill out a voter registration form. Once complete, the county voter registration office reviews the form.
If your registration is accepted, you will receive a voter registration card in the mail. That card will show your name, address, party affiliation and the address of where you will vote.
There are four ways you can register to vote or update your registration:
How do I cast my vote?
In Pennsylvania, you can vote in person at your assigned polling location, by absentee ballot or mail-in ballot.
Requests for an absentee or mail-in ballot must be received by the local elections office by Oct. 31.
Your completed ballot must be in the elections office by 8 p.m. on Nov. 7, and postmarks on that date do not count.
When can I vote?
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 7.
Mail-in ballots can be returned via U.S. mail or dropped off at the local county elections office.
How do I apply for a mail-in ballot? When is the deadline to apply?
Applying for a mail-in or absentee ballot is easy to do online. Registered voters can apply on VotesPA.com. If you provide an email address, you can receive real time updates on your application and track when your ballot is expected to arrive.
The last day to apply for a mail-in ballot in Pennsylvania is Oct. 31. However, the U.S. Postal Service recommends voters do not wait that long to apply in order to ensure their ballot arrives on election day.
How do I vote by mail?
In Pennsylvania, mail-in ballots are due by Nov. 7. Overseas and military absentee ballots have until Nov. 14 to arrive, which means ballots should be sent in the mail no later than Nov. 6.
If you receive a mail-in ballot but decide you want to vote in person, you must bring your unmarked ballot and envelope to your polling place. Without them, you can only vote in person by provisional ballot.
You can also bring your mail-in ballot to your county election office at any time, as long as it is before 8 p.m. on Nov. 7.
For more information, you can visit the Pennsylvania Department of State’s website.
Where can I vote on Nov. 7?
On Tuesday, Nov. 7, voters wishing to vote will have the option to do so in person or by mail.
Voters can find their polling location at the Department of State's website here.
Do I need photo ID to vote?
The first time you vote at an in-person polling location, you MUST bring a photo or non-photo ID.
Options include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Pennsylvania driver’s license or PennDOT ID card
- ID issued by any Commonwealth agency
- ID issued by the U.S. Government
- U.S. passport
- U.S. Armed Forces ID
- Student ID
- Employee ID
- Non-photo ID issued by the Commonwealth
- Non-photo ID issued by the U.S. Government
- Firearm permit
- Current utility bill
- Current bank statement
- Current paycheck
- Government check
If I HAVE NOT turned in my absentee ballot yet, can I drop it off on Election Day?
Yes. Here's what to do:
- Bring your ballot and the pre-addressed outer return envelope to your polling place to be voided. After you surrender your ballot and envelope and sign a declaration, you can then vote a regular ballot.
- If you don't surrender your ballot and return envelope, you can only vote by provisional ballot at your polling place. Your county election board will then verify that you did not vote by mail before counting your provisional ballot.
MORE VOTER RESOURCES
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
The simple answer is no.
Pennsylvania does not provide for same-day voting at the present time. If you have not previously registered, you will not be able to vote in the Nov. 7 general election.
Have more questions?
Get answers to your questions at the Department of State website.
Voting in Pennsylvania Important Dates for 2023 Election Cycle
List of important dates for 2023 Election Cycle in Pa.
The Pennsylvania Department of State has released dates for events related to this year's elections. Here is a list of critical dates associated with Pennsylvania's 2023 election cycle:
- Oct. 23, 2023 - Last Day to Register to vote before Nov. 7 election
- Oct. 31, 2023 - Last day to apply for mail-in or civilian absentee ballot
- Nov. 7, 2023 - 2023 Pennsylvania Municipal election (Polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
- Nov. 8, 2023 - First day to Register after Municipal election.